Excavator Buyer's Guide | Tracked vs Wheeled Excavators
Excavator Buyer's Guide | Tracked vs Wheeled Excavators
Excavator Buyer's Guide | Tracked vs Wheeled Excavators
Is a tracked excavator your obvious choice, or should you consider purchasing a wheeled excavator? We've compiled this excavator buyer's guide to help you compare tracked and wheeled excavators and determine which model represents a better investment for you. Warning: you may be surprised.
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Wheeled excavators are far more common in Europe compared to the U.S. One reason is that much work in Europe is in urbanized settings, while projects in the States often require clearing land and extensive digging.
Advantages of Tracked Excavators
Tracked excavators are typically the go-to machine for contractors needing powerful digging capabilities. Their primary function is digging, though they're also suited for quarry work or demolition when fitted with a crusher, shear, or hammer.
Sitting lower than wheeled models, tracked excavators boast a lower center of gravity. The added weight of the undercarriage and the greater footprint provided by tracks lend the machine superior stability.
Advantages of Wheeled Excavators
Their versatility is unmatched. With a quick coupler and the right attachment, a wheeled excavator can be transformed instantly. It can handle tasks such as digging, demolishing, moving concrete barriers, mowing, or cutting asphalt, and even removing trees.
Contractors in urban environments might lean towards a backhoe for these tasks, but a wheeled excavator is a better option due to its:
- shorter, wider footprint;
- longer reach;
- more power;
- greater digging and lifting capacity.
Because of their smaller footprint, wheeled excavators can maneuver where other heavy equipment cannot. They're perfect for areas where tracked models are impractical and can travel on hard surfaces without causing significant damage, making them ideal for urban projects in both Europe and the U.S.
Wheeled models can't dig as deeply because they sit higher off the ground, affecting their stability on steep slopes. However, using the outriggers and keeping the dozer blade on the ground can offer stability comparable to a tracked excavator. The dozer blade also serves well for backfilling and cleanup tasks.
Wheeled excavators can reach speeds up to 22 mph, whereas tracked excavators move only between 4 and 6 mph. Since driving tracked models over paved roads causes damage, they must be transported via heavy-duty tractor and trailer, which can hinder productivity. The mobility advantage makes wheeled machines significantly more productive.
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Additional reading:Key Questions to Ask When Ordering material handling boom
While wheeled excavators may have a higher initial cost, their lower cost of ownership is a huge benefit. Wheels and brakes are cheaper and more durable than crawler undercarriages, providing faster and easier replacements.
Many contractors have long believed that tracked excavators were the only option. However, if your work is confined to unpaved areas requiring digging and clearing, tracks may indeed be suitable. But if your projects are diverse and you wish to avoid a fleet of specialized machines, wheeled excavators offer exceptional versatility in one package.
High Reach Construction And Demolition
Considering all of the challenges a construction company faces daily, choosing the best excavation equipment is critical for successful operations.
HAWK Excavator manufactures Long Reach Excavator Kits, RTK GPS Position Systems, Amphibious Undercarriages, and Modular Barges. With decades of expertise, HAWK enhances and optimizes excavation projects globally.
Top Product Upgrades for Excavators
HAWK products are easy to install on your excavator, assisting with a wide range of excavation, construction, and dredging projects. The most requested product is the conversion to a long reach excavator.
For more on the value that HAWK Excavator can provide, Go To: https://hawkexcavator.com/
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